do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3020/98 by José BARROS MOURA to the Commission. Meda-Democracy Programme
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: BARROS MOURA, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, Israel, Mediterranean region (EU), Palestine, administrative structures, democratisation, human rights, non-governmental organisation

C 135/152

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.5.1999

Reply

(7/8 December 1998)

The Council recalls that, in the EU’s view, Israel geographically belongs to the Asian Regional Group.
However, given that Israeli membership of the Asian Group is unfortunately not possible at present, it is
right for the Western European and Other States Group (WEOG) to be ready to recognise that difficulty
by, on a case-by-case basis, supporting Israeli candidatures for elections in UN bodies where there are no
WEOG candidates.

On the question of granting Israel temporary membership of WEOG, the EU’s position remains that it
would not be appropriate to take a decision to this effect. Furthermore, it should be noted that for this
purpose agreement by the EU would not be enough as a consensus of all WEOG members would be
required.

(1999/C 135/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3020/98

by José Barros Moura (PSE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Meda-Democracy Programme

B’Tselem − The Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories − has asked me
the following question:

’Parliament initiated the Meda-Democracy and Human Rights Programme in 1996, which we understand
has proven very useful in the promotion of human rights and democracy in the Mediterranean. We have
heard that the Commission is envisioning major administrative changes to the Programme that would have
a negative effect on the achievements of the Programme. We would like the Commission to explain to use
the nature of the changes envisaged and to convince us that this would improve the work of NGOs in the
field.’

Can the Commission respond to the concerns of NGOs working in the field to provide visibility and hope
as regards human rights and democracy?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 1998)

We envisage changes to the MEDA Democracy programme following the implementation of the proposal
for a Council Regulation (1) setting out requirements for the implementation of Community operations
contributing to the overall objective of the development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of
law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, in the Occupied Territories as in the
Community’s Mediterranean partner countries. The proposal
is currently under consultation with
Parliament.

The Regulation has yet to be approved in detail, but the main innovations are intended to make financing
decisions more transparent, for example by obliging the Commission to submit an annual report to
Parliament and the Council on the operations financed and an overall evaluation of such operations three
years after the Regulation enters into force.

(1) OJ C 282, 18.9.1997.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2170/98 of 8 October 1998 fixing the maximum export refund on barley in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1078/98
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, barley, export refund

9. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 273/23

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2170/98

of 8 October 1998

fixing the maximum export refund on barley in connection with the invitation to
tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1078/98

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the
market in cereals (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 923/96 (2),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/
95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules for
the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the
measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the
market for cereals (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 2094/98 (4), and in particular Article 4 thereof,

Whereas an invitation to tender for the refund and/or the
tax for the export of barley to all third countries was
opened pursuant
to Commission Regulation (EC) No
1078/98 (5);

Whereas Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1501/95
provides that the Commission may, on the basis of the
tenders notified, in accordance with the procedure laid
down in Article 23 of Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92,
decide to fix a maximum export refund taking account of
the criteria referred to in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No

1501/95; whereas in that case a contract is awarded to any
than the
tenderer whose bid is equal
maximum refund, as well as to any tenderer whose bid
relates to an export tax;

to or

lower

Whereas the application of the abovementioned criteria
to the current market situation for the cereal in question
results in the maximum export refund being fixed at the
amount specified in Article 1;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
the Management
in accordance with the opinion of
Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For tenders notified from 2 to 8 October 1998, pursuant
to the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No
1078/98, the maximum refund on exportation of barley
shall be ECU 67,46 per tonne.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 9 October 1998.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 8 October 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 126, 24. 5. 1996, p. 37.
(3) OJ L 147, 30. 6. 1995, p. 7.
(4) OJ L 266, 1. 10. 1998, p. 61.
(5) OJ L 154, 28. 5. 1998, p. 20.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3024/98 by Brian SIMPSON to the Commission. Postal services
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, SIMPSON BRIAN
Subjects: liberalisation of the market, postal service, product quality, provision of services, services contract, single market













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91998E3024

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3024/98 by Brian SIMPSON to the Commission. Postal services  


Official Journal C 142 , 21/05/1999 P. 0072 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3024/98by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission(8 October 1998)Subject: Postal servicesCan the Commission indicate when it will be in a position to inform Parliament of proposals relating to the postal sector and if those proposals will be in line with Parliament's often stated position regarding the liberalisation of Postal Services?Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission(6 November 1998)Article 7 of Parliament and Council Directive 97/67/EC of 15 December 1997 on common rules for the development of the internal market for Community postal services and on the improvement of quality of service(1) provides that the Commission shall put forward a proposal for a Directive on the further gradual and controlled liberalisation of the postal-services market before the end of 1998.Since that proposal must take place after a re-examination of this sector, it is necessary for the Commission already to have received the conclusions of studies currently in progress on the impact of the liberalising of certain postal services. Since these must have been completed towards the end of October 1998, the Commission could thus be in a position to send its proposal to Parliament towards the end of this year.Although at this stage the Commission cannot reveal the content of its future proposal, more particularly since it does not have in its possession the result of the studies currently taking place, it may nevertheless assure the Honourable Member that it will take the fullest account possible of the position previously adopted by Parliament on this matter.(1) OJ L 15, 21.1.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3009/98 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Health and safety inspections at kennels
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MUSCARDINI
Subjects: Italy, animal welfare, domestic animal, protection of animals

C 207/22

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

(1999/C 207/027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3009/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Health and safety inspections at kennels

In view of Italian press reports of the macabre events which took place in a kennels, where 11 of the dogs were
found dead and all the others in an advanced state of malnutrition, one is forced to conclude that, if even
animals which are lucky enough not to be abandoned but are placed in the ‘care’ of a kennels die as a result of
neglect and ill-treatment, there is clearly a need for urgent action to be taken by a higher body, such as the
European Commission.

Would the Commission therefore ensure:

1.

that an authority for animals is at last set up under a directive to apply in all Member States;

2.

that, again under an EU directive, standards are laid down for kennels, and Member States are obliged to
make provision for periodic inspections.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 1998)

The Commission deplores all cruelty towards animals. Community legislation has been adopted to protect the
welfare of farm and laboratory animals. However, the welfare of domestic pets is still a matter within the
competence of the Member States.

The Commission does not have the intention at the present time to propose legislation in the area of housing
pet animals.

(1999/C 207/028)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3013/98

by Mair Morgan (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Expenditure on information and communication activities in the UK

Would the Commission provide a detailed breakdown of information and communication activities within the
United Kingdom? The breakdown should show the amount spent in each region and the category of the
expenditure (e.g. salaries, publications, hospitality, etc.).

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 1998)

In 1998 the budget allocation for information and communication activities for the United Kingdom as a
whole is ECU 3,3 million (1997: ECU 5,9 million). A notional amount of ECU 100 000 for each of Northern
Ireland, Scotland and Wales is set aside from this amount for targeted political and information activities. This
does not include expenditure on salaries and other operating expenses which are administered centrally from
London. Regional offices also have access to shared service contracts for relay activities, as well as funds
earmarked for publications and a comprehensive range of representation activities.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2967/98 by Gisèle MOREAU to the Commission. Applicability of Regulation 1408/71 on the transfer of acquired rights
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MOREAU GISELE
Subjects: EU national, France, Italy, civil servant, free movement of workers, self-employment, social security, transfer of pension rights, wage earner













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91998E2967

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2967/98 by Gisèle MOREAU to the Commission. Applicability of Regulation 1408/71 on the transfer of acquired rights  


Official Journal C 297 , 15/10/1999 P. 0039 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2967/98by Gisèle Moreau (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(8 October 1998)Subject: Applicability of Regulation 1408/71 on the transfer of acquired rightsI have been approached by an Italian citizen residing in Turin who paid 102 quarters of pension contributions in Italy ("Fondo Pensioni Ferroneri dello Stato") and 78 quarters in France (CRAV). He has been told that Regulation 1408/71 does not apply in his particular case. At a time when the Commission is rightly proposing to extend Regulation 1408/71(1) to cover residents of third countries legally residing in a Member State, is it also prepared to take action to ensure that Regulation 1408/71 applies to all citizens of the European Union, regardless of their social security scheme?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission(2 December 1998)Regulation No 1606/98 of 29 June 1998(2) extends the scope of Regulation (EEC) 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community(3) and of Regulation (EEC) 574/72 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) 1408/71(4) to special schemes for civil servants, and will enter into force on 25 October 1998.Hence, as from 29 June 1998, the party concerned may rely on the provisions of Article 51a of this Regulation in aggregating periods of insurance under the special scheme for civil servants in Italy and the general scheme in France. In effect, although the "Ferrovie dello Stato" were privatised on 1 January 1993, the insurance scheme remains basically the same, i.e. it is still under the aegis of the Ministry of the Treasury.It seems that the question concerns the acquisition of rights to the Italian retirement pension. If the interested party aggregates periods of insurance in Italy and in France he will of course be entitled to the Italian retirement pension, but the pro rata amount will be calculated under the general scheme, since he has not contributed to the special scheme for civil servants for the entire 35-year period.On the other hand, he should be entitled to an old-age pension under the special scheme for Italian civil servants since he paid contributions under this scheme for 25 years and five months.(1) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.(2) OJ L 209, 25.7.1998.(3) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971.(4) OJ L 74, 27.3.1972.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2941/98 by Angela SIERRA GONZÁLEZ , Alonso PUERTA to the Commission. Inconvenience to passengers as a result of delayed flights
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, PUERTA, SIERRA GONZALEZ
Subjects: air transport, airport, approximation of laws, carriage of passengers, consumer protection, contract, unfair terms of contract

C 182/32

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

(1999/C 182/040)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2940/98

by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Freezing of a certain number of budget headings

(8 October 1998)

The Commission has apparently decided to freeze a certain number of budget headings providing support for
projects in the voluntary sector in the fields of development cooperation, social welfare and human rights.

What reasons lie behind this decision?

Will the Commission reconsider its position?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 1998)

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member of its reply to his Written Question E-2128/98 (1),
which gave a detailed account of the measures taken in response to the freezing of certain budget headings
following the judgment of the Court of Justice of 12 May 1998 in Case C 106/96.

(1) OJ C 142, 21.5.1999.

(1999/C 182/041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2941/98

by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL)
and Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Inconvenience to passengers as a result of delayed flights

As a result of the chaos affecting air services at many airports, the incidence of large numbers of passengers
missing flights is becoming increasingly common.

On occasion, the inconvenience caused is the result of unreasonable delays for which no compensation is
awarded. We may well find ourselves faced with instances of airlines abusing their position and denying
responsibility for the repeated delays they cause.

Does the Commission view as adequate the procedures which protect the rights of consumers in their dealings
with airlines in instances where delays are unreasonable and flights missed?

Has it given thought to the possibility of establishing an ‘automatic compensation system for avoidable flight
delays?’

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 1998)

Delays at airports are highly regrettable and costly but they are often due to infrastructure, air traffic control
difficulties, or other problems relating to the airports themselves, rather than to airline performance. These
realities would make automatic compensation by airlines inappropriate.

Air carriers are, however, responsible for fulfilling their contractual obligations and cannot be exempted from
this responsibility by contractual terms. If delays are caused by inadequate performance of their contractual
obligations or by negligence, air carriers may be held responsible under the applicable national law. In this
respect, it may be recalled that national laws have been approximated by Council Directive 93/13/EEC of
5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts (1).
Resolution on human rights in Georgia
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Georgia, banking secrecy













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51998IP0931

Resolution on human rights in Georgia  


Official Journal C 328 , 26/10/1998 P. 0195 





B4-0931/98Resolution on human rights in GeorgiaThe European Parliament,A. concerned at the situation in Georgian prisons,B. having regard to the report and the decision of the UN Commission on Human Rights of 6 April 1998,C. aware that the Government of Georgia is not only employing persistent delaying tactics in this matter, and still has not done anything to release the political prisoners, but is also holding them in conditions that give cause for grave concern about their health and indeed their survival,The European Parliament,1. Urges the Council to bring pressure to bear on the Georgian Government to comply immediately with the demands made by the UN Commission on Human Rights;2. Calls on the Georgian Government to bring the situation in prisons in line with the standards set out in the European Convention on Human Rights;3. Looks to the Council and Commission to support the Georgian Government in this matter and to orient TACIS aid for democracy accordingly;4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Georgia.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2964/98 by Gerardo FERNÁNDEZ-ALBOR to the Commission. Teaching of Spanish in Brazil
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, FERNANDEZ ALBOR
Subjects: Brazil, Mercosur, Spain, economic integration, educational institution, language teaching

29.4.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 118/173

3.

For this question the Honourable Member should refer to the Presidency.

This question relates to access to documents and has to be answered by the institutions concerned, in

4.
this case the Council.

(1999/C 118/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2964/98

by Gerardo FernÆndez-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Teaching of Spanish in Brazil

(8 October 1998)

The Brazilian Government(cid:146)s recent decision to make the teaching of Spanish compulsory in Brazilian
schools immediately highlighted the difficulty of implementing the measures owing to the shortage of
Spanish teachers in Brazil.

Since, in order to continue the process of integrating the South-American economies, all Brazilian citizens
must have the opportunity of learning Spanish during their school career, the question of how the
European Union could help overcome the shortage of Spanish teachers needs to be given consideration.

Will the Commission say whether, as a way of supporting the process of economic integration in South
American through MERCOSUR and similar agreements, it agrees that it should propose a programme to
encourage Spanish teachers in the Community to teach Spanish in Brazil in order to overcome the shortage
of teachers?

Answer given by Mr Mar(cid:237)n on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 1998)

The Brazilian Government(cid:146)s very recent decision to step up the learning and use of Spanish by making
teaching of the language compulsory, raises questions about how this is going to be achieved.

It is clearly too soon to say, even in Brazil itself, how and when the process is going to get under way and
hence all the more so whether external aid will be necessary.

In any case, but in no way ruling out the Honourable Member(cid:146)s proposal, the beneficiary country must
first come forward to request cooperation.

(1999/C 118/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2968/98

by Riccardo Garosci (PPE) to the Council

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Restrictions on the free movement of EU citizens with reference to the implementation of the

Schengen Agreements at the border between France and Italy

I have seen for myself, and recent Italian press reports confirm, that French customs officials are carrying
out checks on motor vehicles travelling from and to France at the Italian-French frontier near Ventimiglia,
actually on Italian territory, in violation of the Schengen Agreement abolishing checks on persons at the
EU(cid:146)s internal frontiers (referred to in Article 7A of the EC Treaty).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2998/98 by Renate HEINISCH to the Commission. Information on the level of EU aid paid to universities and research institutes in Baden-Württemberg in 1997 (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, HEINISCH
Subjects: Baden-Württemberg, EU aid, EU programme, exchange of information, higher education, research body

C 135/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.5.1999

(1999/C 135/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2994/98

by Roberto Mezzaroma (PPE) to the Council

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Reform of the law on representation in the armed forces in Italy

On 21 July 1998, the defence committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies approved the text of a law
aimed at reforming the system of representation in the armed forces.

The substance of the law reveals the lack of a political will to undertake an innovative reform of the system
of representative in the armed forces so as to improve the conditions of military personnel.

The law has been met with complete indifference and has failed to prompt any critical reaction on the part
of military personnel, indicating a serious and alarming lack of concern about the law’s content.

For many years the fundamental rights of military personnel in the armed forces of European countries
have been enjoyed wide-ranging and comprehensive protection under the law. In view of the fact that in
1985 and 1997 the European Parliament adopted a recommendation stating that military personnel should
be allowed proper and effective representation, does the Council not consider it necessary to make a
specific recommendation, without encroaching on the autonomy of the Italian Parliament, that the new
law, which is set to be approved by the Senate, should incorporate the constitutional right to the protection
of the fundamental and inalienable rights of association and be brought into line with similar laws in other
European countries as part of a unified defence policy in the WEU?

Reply

(14 December 1998)

The question raised by the Honourable Member is not within the competence of the Council.

(1999/C 135/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2998/98

by Renate Heinisch (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Information on the level of EU aid paid to universities and research institutes in Baden-

Württemberg in 1997

For what measures was Community funding paid to universities and research institutes in Baden-
Württemberg in 1997, and how high were the grants from:

1.

the Fourth Framework Programme for activities in the field of research and technological develop-
ment and demonstration,

2.

the Community programmes in the areas of energy and the environment,

3. Community initiatives, particularly the Interreg programme,

4.

5.

the Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and Youth for Europe programmes,

other Community programmes?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1998)

Further to its answer of 23 October 1998 (1), the Commission is now able to provide the following
additional information.